Iran says two tankers catch fire after hitting mines in Strait of Hormuz

What the report says

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said two oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane linking the Gulf to the wider world market. According to Iran’s state media and the IRGC, each vessel was carrying about two million barrels of crude oil. The report did not immediately identify the ships or say where the cargo came from.

The IRGC said the first tanker hit a mine and erupted in a fire, while the second was also struck and burned heavily. Iran’s official news agency said the vessels had turned off their positioning and radar systems and were using a route that was not authorized by Tehran. The IRGC also said one ship was attempting to pass with US support, while the other became immobilized.

The development comes amid heightened tensions in and around the waterway, which has seen a series of attacks in recent days. Al Jazeera reported that Iran has tightened control over transit through the strait since the war began, and that it now requires ships to seek permission before passing. The outlet also noted that attacks on shipping have increased as Tehran and Washington remain locked in confrontation over maritime security, sanctions and oil exports.

The incident matters because the Strait of Hormuz carries a major share of global oil traffic, so disruptions there can quickly affect energy prices and inflation. As background, maritime security experts have long treated the strait as one of the world’s most sensitive chokepoints, where even isolated incidents can have broader economic and political consequences.